A BID for renewal for Weston-super-Mare

Weston-super-Mare’s Business Improvement District (BID) has launched their Business Plan to local businesses eligible to vote on whether Weston BID is renewed for another five years.

Weston’s current Business Improvement District (BID), which started in April 2012, was devised and voted for, by Weston’s businesses to increase and strengthen the town’s economy and will come to an end in March 2017.

The Weston BID team have created a new five-year business plan that reflects the views and priorities of local businesses in Weston-super-Mare, following a four month consultation period.

The Business Plan has been hand delivered by members of the BID team and street wardens to in excess of 400 local businesses within Weston-super-Mare who are eligible to vote on the 7th December 2016. The BID Team is seeking strong support for a ‘yes’ vote in the new BID ballot which will be received by local business on the 9th November this year.

Steve Townsend, Town Centre Manager, said: “Weston BID ensures town centre businesses are represented and have a genuine voice in issues affecting the area and shaping the future of our town centre. We have consulted the local businesses, met with them to discuss their views, undertaken questionnaires and surveys all with the aim to ensure the new BID Business Plan reflects what they would like for the future.

“I would urge businesses to read the Business Plan to help them make an informed decision on how they choose to vote. The BID team and I are confident that we have listened to what local businesses have to say about the future of the local area, and the Business Plan showcases our plans for the next five years if we are successful in getting a ‘yes’ vote on the 7th December.”

The current Weston BID has invested over £1m directly into the town centre and introduced a variety of initiatives and projects to enhance Weston’s profile and reputation to boost footfall and strengthen the local economy. Weston BID has fought for improvements throughout the town with success, and it is more important than ever this work continues and is carried out by a body that represents the town centre

Paul Batts, Chairman of Weston BID added: “The BID is about making Weston a better place to work and live, which sounds simple, but can be quite a difficult task. You need a consistent approach that provides the right environment for businesses to thrive, and the BID fully supports this.

“It is worth noting that come the end of March next year, unless we vote ‘yes’ for the BID to continue for another five years, all of the services and funding provided by the BID will stop, including the high profile street warden service, which is vital in maintaining a safe and secure town centre. I would encourage all businesses to read through the Business Plan and recommend them to vote ‘yes’ for a five-year BID renewal when they receive their ballot papers on the 9th November.”

Ballot papers for Weston BID will be sent to voters early in November, all votes must be cast by 7th December, with results announced on whether the BID renewal has been successful on the 8th December this year. If Weston BID are successful with gaining a ‘yes’ vote the Weston BID 2 will commence on the 3rd April.

Full details of the BID renewal process and a copy of the new Business Plan can be found on the website www.westonbid.co.uk from today.